Description
Summary
The Utility Billing Clerk is responsible for maintaining accurate utility billing records, processing payments, handling customer inquiries, and performing various clerical duties. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Billing and Collections:
- Generate and distribute utility bills to customers on a regular billing cycle.
- Process and post payments received via mail, in person, and online.
- Manage delinquent accounts, including generating late notices and coordinating with collections agencies as necessary.
2. Customer Service:
- Respond to customer inquiries regarding billing issues, account status, and service changes.
- Assist customers with setting up new accounts, closing accounts, and making payment arrangements.
- Resolve billing discrepancies and complaints promptly and professionally.
3. Record Keeping and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all utility billing transactions.
- Prepare monthly and annual reports related to utility billing and collections.
- Assist in the preparation of financial reports and audits as required.
4. Administrative Support:
- Perform general clerical duties including data entry, filing, and document management.
- Assist in the preparation and distribution of correspondence related to utility billing.
- Support other City functions as needed.
- Work closely with other departments to issue work orders, share information about known or anticipated outages, ensure billing accuracy, and resolve any discrepancies.
5. Compliance and Policy Adherence:
- Ensure compliance with city ordinances, policies, and procedures related to utility billing.
- Stay informed about changes in regulations and best practices related to utility billing and customer service.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of two years of experience in billing, accounting, or a related clerical position.
Skills and Abilities:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with billing software. ERP Pro 9 software knowledge preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial reporting.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Physical Demands
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
- The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- The work environment is typically an office setting with standard office equipment.
- Must be able to work with frequent interruptions.
- Occasional interaction with the public and external vendors may be required.
